Q. What does an anaesthetist/anaesthesiologist do in a surgical setting?

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Answered by Secondmedic Expert

An anaesthetist (or anaesthesiologist) is a vital member of any surgical team, and plays a critical role in ensuring the patient’s safety and comfort during surgery.

During a surgical procedure, an anaesthetist will discuss with the patient their medical history to determine which type of anaesthesia is suitable for each individual case. They then administer the chosen drugs in order to prevent pain during surgery. These drugs may include sedatives, anesthetics or a combination of both - depending on what's appropriate for the situation.

Once all pre-operative checks have been completed and approved by the patient and surgeon, the anaesthetic begins. An intravenous catheter is inserted so that fluids can be administered if needed throughout the operation. The drug or drugs are then injected into veins or inhaled through tubing connected to a gas cylinder/mask depending upon which type of anesthesia has been selected by your doctor/anaesthesiologist-in-charge (AIC).

It is important that prior to administering anesthesia, heart rate and oxygen levels are monitored closely as well as checking blood pressure regularly while keeping detailed records throughout the procedure in order to ensure maximum safety for the patient at all times. Furthermore, after administration of anesthesia it may be sometimes necessary to keep patients breathing artificially – this can involve attaching them manually via bag valve mask device otherwise known as BVM or through Ventilator machine also known as mechanical intervention ventilation(MIV).

Throughout Surgery it's very important for Anaesthesia practitioner [AP] carefully monitor vital signs like temperature using Forced air warmers , ECG tracings , ETCO2 & concentration levels among many more constantly . AP should take necessary actions accordingly on observing some changes regarding any mentioned parameters . Once Surgery gets over AP starts reversing general Anesthesia using Antagonists & leaving patient under Postoperative observation room care till getting full stable before discharging from hospital . Lastly it’s not limited only What I Mentioned Here there are lot more sophisticated skills which require specialised training in order become competent Anaesthesia Practitioner such like Regional Anaesthesia Techniques etc…